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Hu promises clean governance

— Photo: Xinhua

Drawing the roadmap: Chinese President Hu Jintao addressing the closing ceremony of the First Session of the 11th National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing on Tuesday.

BEIJING: The two-week First Session of the 11th National People’s Congress (NPC), China’s top legislature, ended here on Tuesday after endorsing a new leadership.

Nearly 3,000 deputies attended the annual Parliament session from March 5 to 18. They endorsed the report of government work presented by Premier Wen Jiabao, along with other important reports, and set forth the major tasks and work plans for this year and the five years to come.

Hu Jintao was re-elected President, Wu Bangguo re-elected Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, and Mr. Wen reappointed Premier.

Addressing the closing meeting, President Hu promised clean governance and appropriate use of power to serve the people wholeheartedly. “I will serve the people and exert myself to work for the country... be a good public servant and sincerely seek benefits for the people.”

He thanked the NPC deputies and the nation for their trust, saying he would lead the country to advance democracy and rule of law, put people first and work in a practical manner. “I will exert my utmost not to let you down.”

China’s leadership, he said, would unswervingly maintain the uniformity, solemnity, and authority of the socialist legal system, promote social equity and justice, and safeguard social harmony and stability. “We will keep to the principle of ‘putting people first’, respect the people’s status, exert their pioneering spirit and safeguard their rights and interests.” Mr. Hu said the leadership would keep working in a practical manner, seek truth from facts and keep up with the pace of the times.

“We will take every opportunity, face every challenge, courageously seek reform and innovation and do everything in accordance with objective rules.” The President spoke highly of China’s achievements in reform, opening up and modernisation drive in the past five years, which he attributed to the concerted efforts of the people. “China has entered a critical stage for reform and development,” he said. Facing the new situation and new tasks, China must keep to its reform and opening up drive, promote scientific development, social harmony and the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects.

He expressed confidence that the country would make new victories, achieve the revitalisation of the nation and make further contribution to the human society as long as it works hard to advance socialism with Chinese characteristics, maintains unity and prepares for danger in terms of safety.

Mr. Wu, in his closing speech hailed the NPC session as a “complete success.” He said a set of effective work mechanisms and measures had been formed within the NPC and its Standing Committee over the past five years, resulting in progress in legislation, and active exchanges with parliaments of other countries. — Xinhua

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